Alaffia Review and Giveaway!

Once in a while you tumble upon a product you love so much that you can’t wait to tell others about it. I discovered Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion and Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Wash at a health food store a few months ago. Now, my whole family is using this great body lotion and wash and Mommy can’t stop talking about them!

These all-natural products from Alaffia hail from Togo, Africa and are created from the un-refined oil from the nuts of Shea trees found in West and Central Africa. The Alaffia company honors the principles of fair trade, environmental sustainability (the Shea trees grow wild and require no fertilization nor irrigation), and community empowerment.

There are many different wonderful products available Alaffia, which are available online and at health food stores nationwide. Here’s how to buy a few:

I don’t really go for the mani/pedi pampering, but I do make the most of my shower time by using really nice, good smelling products that are not full of chemicals. The aromatherapy value can make even a quick shower feel a little therapeutic.

What kind of aromatherapy do you use? I also am saying no to the chemicals!

Noelle Kinyon

Can I say first, your site is great. It really had the simple information that seems to be lacking elsewhere. So, thanks!
I keep it pretty simple and walk around the corner from our house to the local nail salon and get a peticure. I get to read all the gossip magazines that I would never admit to reading and have a hour to myself!

Noelle, that means so much to me, I am really really grateful! That’s so funny what you say b/c I always tell myself I am going to read the New York Times and then I just read all the gossip mags too! I know alot more about the Kardashian’s than you would think!!!

Danielle

My only indulgence is when I take a shower! With 4 little ones there isn’t much time for me…but my husband lets me take extra long showers sometimes lol! I would love and need to pamper my skin it does get neglected while making sacrifices for our kids. Not complaining!

Danitza

When possible I sneak out for a mani/pedi

HM

After our toddler goes to bed I make sure I take care of myself for a couple minutes-cut nails, color toe nails.

I find time to take care of myself by staying up later after all the kids and husband are asleep! I read, watch a movie, talk with friends or my favorite: a nice and long bubble bath! I forget about if I had a bad day and get geared up for the next day.

My showers on the weekend are definitely longer too! I always go for color on my nails! That usually means chipped nails which you will notice in most of my videos, but I prefer to have a new color! Do you do color or clear?

Jennifer LeCuyer

I’m a 30 yr old single Mom of a 10 yr old son that had Autism so finding “me time” is very difficult. But I try at least once a week to pamper myself at night when Tyler goes to sleep. I do this by lighting candles and drawing myself a nice hot bath with bath crystals. I then give myself a facial. I also try to do my nails but I’m so tierd by the end of the week that all I really want is a good nights sleep which doesn’t happen often as little man has sleeping issues. I always enter contests and try to win things but I guess luck isn’t on my side. I have my fingers crossed for this though as I love these products. I always try to use natural, heathly, and environmentally safe products.

Jennifer, I’m so impressed by what you are doing. So good that you are taking care of your skin!! I am with you on the environmentally safe, and with products like these, you can’t go wrong!

Katherine

just till recently this was a problem for me. I always felt guilty when I wasn’t spending time with my kids and then my family started noticing I was getting stressed out over little things.
My answer to this…. I take long walks in the evening or early in the morning before he leaves for work (and no one is up yet) when my husband gets home from work. It is just me and sometimes I take the IPOD. I helps me clear my hand and I love the time where I am just by myself. On occasion (say on Saturday nights) I will take a long hot shower just relax.

I never get massages, but I really want to because my upper back kills from carrying the girls and not having the right computer set-up! Where do you go?

Jessica Hughes

My husband and I each get a couple of hours to ourselves one night a week. It is really nice to be able to count on a little time to take a bath, visit a friend, watch a chick flick or whatever else I feel like. I think it helps us be better parents the rest of the week.

Do you cover for each other so each person gets one night? Great idea!

Nikki Rodriguez

Although its very difficult to find time as I’m a mom to 3 busy kids one with special needs. It’s so important though. We work and work and drag through each day that we have to recharge our batteries at time so we can keep going. For myself something like having daddy take the kids to the park while I sneak a shower and paint my nails is such a treat. Or just going to get your hair done. It’s very hard to find the time but we owe it to ourselves!

Nikki, you are so right! And I feel like when I feel good about myself, I am a better mom with more patience!! how old are you kids?

kholan

Hmmm… That is a good question – one that I am still figuring out! Sometimes I just have to close the door when they are watching TV or something and I know they are safe (just eaten, changed diapers, etc.), and I close my bathroom door and give myself a pedicure. It is so important! I have to be careful, though, that they don’t see me, or I will have “zombie children” banging on the door and reaching underneath to try to get in.

I wish I found time to take care of myself! I try to take a day every few months to get a pedicure and get a hair cut but sometimes it’s just not possible! I love to try to take a bubble bath at least once a month to unwind but most times I just end up taking a shower, ALONE! and sometimes, that’s good enough (:

Amanda, the shower is my savoir, although I don’t love our water pressure!! But sometimes I am in there for a LONG time! My husband comes looking for me!

alyssa1986

i find me time once my son is in bed. i use that time to listen to peaceful earth soothing music. and just sit and reflex on the day. i sometimes are able give my self a mini mani pedi. and I think about things i need to do for my self and what i missed for the day.

Thank you for your support, that’s how I felt which is why I wanted to do this giveaway on the site! I feel a real difference since using these products!

fairtradelove

I don’t find time, I make time! 🙂 My body is my temple and I treat it with respect by exercising 4-5 times a week, paying attention to the nutritional value of my food and only using natural personal care products.

I LOVE this company!!! We are using the coconut one right now and I love that it last for a super long time! With two small boys I really don’t get time to myself but when I get to take a shower and use my coconut body wash I feel like I’m at the beach for a couple minutes.

I don’t get much “me time”, but when I do, I’m happy with a hot shower where I can exfoliate and shave. That time is usually found after my three children have gone to bed. I would absolutely love to indulge in these wonderful products! Thanks for the giveaway!

Nap time and the weekends gives me the extra time I need to take care of myself. I love using Alaffia products to pamper myself with! Long, hot showers and the occasional mani/pedi are my favorite ways to unwind. I also make sure to exercise regularly – gotta love those endorphins! 🙂

it is definitely tough to find that time! i work full-time and have a 1-year-old (who knows how to slam his hands on the bathroom door until its circa-1937 door knob and latch give way ;)). last night i had a little time after my son was asleep to give my hair a good trim, something i’ve been meaning to do for a while. sometimes i resort to taking my nail polish to work and redoing my toe nails on my lunch break (outside, of course). i love alaffia’s products, and i do take extra-long showers. (i also take baths with my son with the everyday shea bubble bath for kids.)

yes! there are lots of great videos on youtube that show you how to do it. just search “how to trim your own hair” or “how to cut layers in your hair.” the method i used was really simple- i gathered my hair in a ponytail on the back of my head, then put a second hairband right above where i wanted to trim– then just cut off what was below the second hairband (a couple of inches). this gives you shorter pieces in front and longer in back. 🙂

I usually do my mani/pedi withe my girls (7/2/1) we play nail shop together that way I get to do my nails and toes. If I have time on Saturday I wake up early around 6:00 a.m. and wash/deep condition my hair. On Sunday’s before church I wake up around 6:30 a.m. polish my toes/nails (if I hadn’t had a chance to do it the way I like while playing nail shop), and do my makeup.

Whewww that was a lot. lol

mommysnewviews

I also use the Beautiful Curls Line which is by Alaffia also and we use Raw Shea butter which is great for moisturizing your body or extra dry/coarse hair!

While my son takes his afternoon nap this is the time I take for myself. First I start with making a cup of herbal tea. Once that is done I grab my sage and head for the bath. I light a candle and burn some sage. I then smudge myself cleansing any negative thoughts that may be within. I then take my Alaffia goats milk/lavender bar of soap, and coconut shampoo/conditioner and put it aside. I soak and meditate…. Sip my tea and count my blessings. Then cleanse my face, body, and hair. I always end up singing as i wash. It’s so important to take the time to love ourself, and truly appreciate the time doing so. Such joy it brings to my heart and soul! ❤

This is absolutely beautiful… I am so touched by what you wrote, you are living a healthy and happy life!

Daaimah

I have my brother or my husband watch my newborn so I can get 30-60 minutes of me time at night to shower, do my hair, read, or whatever else I need to do for myself. I’m a stay at home mom so that hour really makes a difference for me.

I don’t get much time to myself between school work, cleaning and tending to my munchkins before I am to exhausted but if I can manage I like to take either a nice long shower or a hotbath and read or listen to music. I am wanting to start working out so to get my pre baby energy back so I can keep up with a very active and adventurous two uear old boy. I need to not do it while he is around because last time he thought it would be fun to pounce while mommy was doing sit ups.

That is very funny! I have a band I like to use but my kids almost strangled each other with it once so that was it for the band! Thanks for commenting, Sarabeth!

brittany

I’m a first time mom to a little boy that just turned 6mo, and I just have wait until he’s in bed before I can take any time to myself (especially since he’s starting the separation anxiety stage). Usually I read a book, take a nice hot shower, or just crawl into bed early and catch up on some sleep!

I find time for myself after I put my son to bed. First a hot shower then my pjs. As usual I lotion up and before crawling into bed I spray some lavender essential oil mist on my pillow. Ill read for a while then lights out and, hopefully, I quickly fall asleep. A far, far cry from the bi-weekly mani/pedi’s I used to indulge in. But that’s ok, I wouldn’t change anything.

My favorite thing to do to unwind is taking a nice long walk by myself, listening to my favorite music on the iPod. At the end of the day, I like to take a relaxing soak in the bath with lavender scented oils and candles.

I try to find time to pamper myself a little bit! : ) Every mom deserves a little “me” time. I would love to try out these all-natural products from Alaffia! I’ve heard my friends raving positive things. Good luck to all the moms!

I put aside 30-45 minutes a day for Mom time. It is very important to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family.

Milly Biscardi DeFeo

I totally agree with you. We need that time to re-group and plan meals, events, walks and so on 🙂

LoriS

It’s a struggle to find time for myself with a preschooler and a 9-month-old in our house. I will often stay up late after the kids have gone to bed just so I can enjoy some quiet time to catch up on reading or some grown-up TV shows (yay, no Disney Junior for a few hours!). Every couple of weeks or so, my husband will give me a Mom’s Day Out, which usually consists of half a day of running errands. I can get SO much more done and in much faster time when I don’t have 2 kids to load in and out of the car all the time. Not exactly “me time” since it’s household-related errands, but I still enjoy going places alone, even if it’s just to pick up a few groceries.

kayenewman39

I go and have a Mani-Pedi every other week. It is so relaxing and I always feel so pretty afterwards.

mom4lifeof6

Pampering after the children go to bed – alone time in the tub to relax, enough said!

Natalie S

These products sound awesome! Hmmm…how do I find time to take care of myself…I love to soak in the tub with some epsom salt while the hubs tends to the kids. It’s so relaxing and soothing.

contactdesign

I like to sit down with my favorite snacks and watch me some Downton Abbey, since I didn’t have time to see the episodes when they were first on. Now I put the kids to bed and have some ‘me’ time and even sneak in another episode when I can’t wait to see what Maggie Smith will say next.

When my son goes to sleep ( I have an evening ritual for him of dinner bath time reading and bedtime).

Generosa

I make sure my son follows his bedtime ritual so that I can squeak in about 2 hours from 9 to 11pm at night. I use Alaffia products and they are awesome! They are definitely part of my daily self-care ritual and I use only these products on my son.

Bethany

I’m a massage therapist, so I have the ability to schedule trades. It works out for me to get at least one a month, which is so nice! I schedule time with my girlfriends when I have a babysitter, and I also squeeze in me time in the evening after our daughter goes to bed by taking a nice bubble bath.

Katherine

thank you! miss being on the computer as much. been watching my nephew and great niece (boy do I feel old….my niece has a daughter as young as me)

Disclaimer: CloudMom and its content are for informational purposes only and should never be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the CloudMom Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.